The Madeira Collective
Walked this?
Add your photos and they'll appear here, credited to you.
Two minutes, four quick steps. You'll create a profile at the end so your photos stay credited to you.
Levada do Barreiro
Levada do Barreiro: walk in Madeira
Levada do Barreiro is a 12 km out-and-back walk in Funchal, signposted PR4, rated moderate. It climbs about 200 m in total and takes about 4 hours to walk.
Quiet high-altitude levada walk on the southern slopes of the central massif, with views over Funchal.
Share this venue
Route line (GPX)
Loading route map…
A 4.9 km route line for your watch, phone or GPS. It is the mapped line of the trail, not a track we recorded ourselves, so treat it as guidance and follow the signs and closures on the ground.
The line covers the route one way; on an out-and-back walk you return along the same path.
Download the GPX fileRoute data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the ODbL. This file is published under the same licence. Source.
About Levada do Barreiro
Levada do Barreiro sits in the sunlit south coast around Funchal and is a moderately demanding hike, good fitness helps but no technical skills required. Over its 12 km point-to-point route, Levada do Barreiro climbs around 200 m of cumulative gain. Most walkers take between 4 and 5 hours, depending on pace and how often they stop for photos.
Bring more water than you think you need and pace yourself, the second half is where most people struggle. The route is part of Madeira's signed network of official PR ("Pequena Rota") trails, registered as PR4 in the regional PR catalogue. Markings are maintained by the forestry service, but a closure after rain or rockfall is normal, verify the day before you walk.
What to know before you go
- Trail runners are fine on dry days; switch to grippy hiking boots if rain is forecast, wet basalt is unforgiving.
- Bring more water than the distance suggests; the cumulative climb is what drains energy, not the kilometres.
- A small head torch is useful in case the route enters any tunnel section.
- Mid-morning is fine, but earlier starts mean clearer views and emptier paths.
- Check the official 'Estado dos Trilhos' status before you go, trails close after storms or rockfalls.
Best time to visit
May, June, September and early October combine long daylight, stable weather and lower trail traffic. Winter is fine for the lower levadas but unreliable on the high ridges.
Location
Funchal, Madeira · Open in OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
32.72606, -16.92481
Conditions log
Dated, first-person notes from people who recently walked Levada do Barreiro.
No verified reports yet for this trail. We only publish entries we can stand behind, dated, first-person, and signed. If you've walked it in the last few weeks, use the form above and we'll add it here with credit.
Visitor reviews
Honest first-person notes from people who have actually been to Levada do Barreiro. Reviews are moderated before they appear, no account needed.
Loading reviews…
Frequently asked
How long does the Levada do Barreiro hike take?
Most hikers complete Levada do Barreiro in around 4 hours, though slower paces or photo stops can push it to 6 hours. The route is 12 km long with about 200 m of elevation gain.
Is Levada do Barreiro suitable for beginners?
Levada do Barreiro is rated moderate. Beginners with reasonable fitness can complete it, but expect uneven ground, some exposed sections and a few hours on your feet.
Do I need a guide for Levada do Barreiro?
No, Levada do Barreiro is a signed official trail and most fit hikers walk it independently. Local guides are widely available if you prefer transport, route certainty, or commentary on the landscape.
Plan around Levada do Barreiro
The nearest town, viewpoint and walk: the three things most visitors pair with Levada do Barreiro in a day.
Nearby on Madeira
Other places within easy reach of Levada do Barreiro.
Plan the rest of your trip
The four guides most first-time visitors reach for.
The monthly Madeira letter
Once a month: what's on the island next month, trails that closed or reopened, ferry and cable car changes, and the new guides worth reading. Written by Mike, no sponsored posts, unsubscribe in one click.
Your address is used for this letter only. Never sold, never shared.